2024 Highlights
2024 highlights
Year 21 of Simply Smiles was full of successes, transitions, and hope as we continue to provide bright futures for the children in our care. Amongst the accomplishments, milestones, and countless smiles made possible by our supporters, we've selected three 2024 highlights to feature:
Pictured above, Simply Smiles President & Founder, Bryan Nurnberger marking the village’s transfer with CRST Chairman Ryman LeBeau.
Transfer of the Reservation children’s village to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
In March, we transferred ownership of our children’s village to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, positioning them to be one of the few tribal nations with their own child welfare program.
Transferring a “turnkey” child welfare facility to the Tribe marks the pinnacle in our 16-year partnership. We want to thank everyone who supported the monumental effort to create our first-of-its-kind children’s village on the Reservation. Your time, hard work, unwavering dedication, and incredible generosity have made this leap forward possible for the Cheyenne River community.
Because of the generosity of the Simply Smiles community, the kids are prepared for and eager to start their school days!
Degrees, Diplomas & Awards: Education Successes in Mexico
The children at the Simply Smiles Children’s Village excelled in school, and learned invaluable life skills, as they continue to thrive in the supportive, stable, and nurturing environment of our village.
This year, many of the children earned top grades and achievement awards. Among their accomplishments:
Two middle school students ended the school year ranked 2nd and 3rd in their class.
One student graduated high school and will remain living with us while she attends college on a Simply Smiles scholarship!
We are incredibly proud of the children’s academic successes and excited to see them on the path to their brightest futures!
Gaby visits the U.S. and leads successful Keep Hope Alive fundraisers
After running our annual Keep Hope Alive fundraising campaign virtually for the past few years, this year we held small in-person gatherings in addition to our Zoom fundraisers.
Gabriela Chavez Hernandez, director of the Simply Smiles children’s village in Oaxaca, Mexico, traveled to the U.S. to lead the events! Supporters heard directly from Gaby about the children’s village and learned more about the impact of their support.
Keep Hope Alive 2024 raised funds for the village in Mexico, and it was an opportunity to re-connect in-person with many Simply Smiles supporters. We look forward to holding more in-person events in 2025!
Thank you!
Please consider making a year-end, tax-deductible gift to support our life-changing work in Mexico.
